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Do I Need a Use Permit?
Are you thinking about opening a new business or expanding an existing business that requires a Minor Use Permit or Conditional Use Permit? Here is some information to help you understand the requirements and process to obtain a use permit.
What is a Use Permit?
Minor Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits are required for businesses with unique operating characteristics that could impact surrounding uses. The use permit will include conditions of approval to ensure that the business operations remain compatible with the surrounding uses. The City of Dublin Zoning Ordinance (Chapters 8.100 and 8.102) addresses the requirements for these use permits.
Choosing the right location for your business is important. Prior to making a financial commitment to a site, be sure to verify that your business complies with the zoning for that site. This includes confirming that your business is a permitted use and there is sufficient parking to support the business per City requirements. A list of use types and zoning districts can be found in Chapter 8.12 of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance. Businesses with unique operating characteristics require a Zoning Clearance (ZC), Minor Use Permit (MUP) or Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Use permits are required before opening a new business or expanding an existing business that requires a use permit. Planning Staff are available to assist you in determining whether or not a use permit is required. You can also follow an easy three-step process to get started.
What is a Use Permit?
Minor Use Permits and Conditional Use Permits are required for businesses with unique operating characteristics that could impact surrounding uses. The use permit will include conditions of approval to ensure that the business operations remain compatible with the surrounding uses. The City of Dublin Zoning Ordinance (Chapters 8.100 and 8.102) addresses the requirements for these use permits.
Do I Need a Use Permit?
Choosing the right location for your business is important. Prior to making a financial commitment to a site, be sure to verify that your business complies with the zoning for that site. This includes confirming that your business is a permitted use and there is sufficient parking to support the business per City requirements. A list of use types and zoning districts can be found in Chapter 8.12 of the Dublin Zoning Ordinance. Businesses with unique operating characteristics require a Zoning Clearance (ZC), Minor Use Permit (MUP) or Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Use permits are required before opening a new business or expanding an existing business that requires a use permit. Planning Staff are available to assist you in determining whether or not a use permit is required. You can also follow an easy three-step process to get started.
How do I Obtain a Use Permit?
- Pre-application Meeting: You should set up a meeting with a Planner to discuss your project before making a financial commitment to a site and preparing detailed plans. Bring a rough draft of your plan to this initial meeting. At the meeting, you should explain your project so that staff can identify preliminary issues or concerns, provide you with detailed submittal requirements, and discuss the review process and approval time-frames. Depending on the complexity of the project and application completeness, a typical use permit application can take two to six (2-6) months to process.
- Application Submittal: A Planner will complete a checklist of detailed submittal requirements and provide that to you. A Written Statement is an important part of your application submittal. The Written Statement should provide factual evidence to support each of the mandatory findings, which must be made in order to approve your request. Submit the application package to the Community Development Department, Planning Division. A Planner will review your application submittal to confirm that you have provided all of the required information before accepting the application for processing.
- Staff Review: A Planner will be assigned to your application and will serve as your point of contact to help guide you through the application process. This Planner will review your application and complete the necessary environmental review in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Planner will also refer your application to other departments and/or public agencies (Police, Fire, Building, Engineering, etc.) for review and comment. The Planner will notify you within 30 days if your application is deemed complete and ready to be acted upon by the approving body, or if additional information or clarification is necessary to complete your application. If your application is deemed to be incomplete, further processing will be delayed until you submit the necessary information. Once your application is deemed complete, it will be scheduled for a decision by the approving body.
- Approval: The Planner will advise you if your application will be acted upon by the Community Development Director with a public notice of decision, or will require a public hearing with the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission. Either way, a notice will be mailed to all property owners and tenants within 300 feet of the property and published in the Valley Times. This will provide the date, time, and place of the decision or public hearing, and a project description. In the case of a public hearing, the hearing body will accept testimony from you, City Staff, and the public before rendering a decision on the application.
- Appeal Period: Decisions by the approving body are subject to appeal for 10 days following the decision. Anyone affected by the decision may file an appeal with the City Clerk in accordance with Chapter 8.136 of the Zoning Ordinance. Once the decision becomes final, you may operate your business in conformance with the Conditions of Approval.
- Building Permit: Physical improvements to the interior or exterior of your business location may require a Building Permit. Please consult with the Building Division regarding permit requirements. You may apply for a Building Permit once your application has been approved.